Chinese President Xi Jinping has said Beijing is seeking to establish strategic ties with Iran.
He made the remarks on Friday in a meeting with President Hassan Rouhani on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tajikistan.
Xi highlighted Iran’s unique role in regional and international developments and said, “China is enthusiastic to establish strategic ties with Iran,” Mehr news agency reported.
also said he will pay a visit to Iran next year.
Praising strong bilateral ties, Rouhani referred to the agreements made with his Chinese counterpart in the previous summit and called for prompt action to put the agreements into practice.
Rouhani Meets Putin
President Rouhani also met and conferred with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Dushanbe, IRNA reported.
The two officials discussed regional and recent international developments as well as issues of mutual concern.
Putin, on his part, said the relations between the two states are constantly improving, adding besides the completed joint projects, there are still plans to be agreed on and implemented.
The nuclear talks between Iran and the major powers were also discussed in the meeting and the two presidents expressed their support for efforts aimed at clinching a comprehensive deal to resolve the dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Stability in Afghanistan
In another meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on the sidelines of the summit, Rouhani stressed the need for promoting stability and security in Afghanistan through cooperation of all political groups.
“The will and determination of the Afghan people are key to the development of their country, and Iran does its best to help the process,” IRNA quoted him as saying.
Hamid Karzay, on his part, briefed Rouhani on the developments which have occurred after the presidential elections in Afghanistan.
The two sides also discussed the role of some regional states and world powers on the future of Afghanistan.
Exploring Ways to Expand Ties
Rouhani also met with his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow and discussed the ways to further expand Tehran-Ashgabat relations, IRNA reported.
The meeting was held at the president’s residence in the presence of high-ranking officials of both countries.
“Iran and Turkmenistan are two brotherly and neighborly countries with common (cultural) roots and it is necessary for them to take measures to exploit untapped potential in both countries,” Rouhani said.
Referring to the planned railroad which would connect Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan, the president said Iran is a safe route for the transit of goods from Central Asia to the south and the Persian Gulf.The Turkmen president, on his part, praised Iran’s influential status in the region and world.
He referred to close cultural similarities between the two countries and said, “Iran plays an active role in energy, transportation, and economic sectors in Turkmenistan, and we hope to reach the highest level of friendly bilateral relations.”
The two presidents agreed to activate joint commissions to exchange opinions on regional issues.
President Rouhani arrived in Tajikistan on Wednesday to attend the 14th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Dushanbe, which opened on Friday.
The SCO was established in 2001 with China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, as its main members.
The Islamic Republic of Iran, India, Afghanistan, Mongolia, and Pakistan are the observing members of the organization.
